Is bitter kola safe for people with high blood pressure?

Garcinia kola, popularly known as bitter kola, is a traditional African nut used for many years to treat different ailments.

Some people believe it can help reduce high blood pressure, but there is still not enough research to confirm whether it is safe for people with hypertension.

Bitter kola contains flavonoids, which are known for reducing inflammation, fighting free radicals, and helping prevent certain diseases.

It also contains a lot of caffeine, which increases the body’s metabolism and can raise blood pressure. For someone with hypertension, this can be risky because it may slightly lower the pressure at first but also cause the heart to beat faster.

According to WebMD, a 2010 study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology found that bitter kola extract lowered blood pressure in hypertensive rats. But because the study was done on animals, scientists cannot yet confirm that the same effect applies to humans. The study also used a very high amount of the extract, which may be unsafe for people.

Another study published in 2002 in the same journal suggested that bitter kola can reduce blood viscosity, meaning it can help prevent thick blood and reduce the chances of blood clots. This may benefit people with high blood pressure.

However, those who are already taking blood thinners should avoid bitter kola because combining the two can cause dangerous side effects, including excessive bleeding.

Since only a few studies have looked at bitter kola and hypertension, more research is needed to know if it is truly safe for people with high blood pressure. It is also important to note that bitter kola should not replace prescribed blood pressure medication.

It may react with other drugs, so anyone on hypertension treatment should talk to their doctor before taking it.

Although early studies show that bitter kola might offer some benefits, it should not be used as a substitute for proper medical care. Bitter kola can cause side effects and may interfere with hypertension medication.

The safest way to manage high blood pressure is to follow a healthy lifestyle, eat well, and take your prescribed medicine…CONTINUE MORE READING>>>